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Southwest Airlines personal item size: 18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 in
Limits change; confirm with your airline before you fly. Every figure here links to the airline page it came from.
EZUOLA Travel Backpack for Men,TSA Carry On Backpack Flight Approved
16.9 x 11.4 x 7.5 in, as listed
The roomiest personal item bag in our catalog whose listed size meets Southwest’s limit (16.9 x 11.4 x 7.5 in as listed).
$23.99 Check price on Amazon
Prices change often.
What are Southwest's personal item rules?
| Allowance | Maximum size | Weight | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal item | 18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 in 47 x 34.3 x 21.6 cm (converted) | none stated | Southwest baggage page, checked 2026 |
| Carry-on | 24 x 16 x 10 in | none stated | details |
Must be stored under the seat in front of you.
By volume this limit is the most generous of the 19 personal item limits on this site.
Which personal item bags fit Southwest?
Sizes are as the listing states them; these bags have no wheels, so the stated size is the outside of the bag. Pack them to the listed depth, not beyond.
| Bag | Listed size | Verdict | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| EZUOLA Travel Backpack for Men,TSA Carry On Backpack Flight Approved | 16.9 x 11.4 x 7.5 in | FITS | $23.99 |
| ECOHUB 17" Small Travel Backpack United Airlines Personal Item Bag 25L | 17 x 10 x 9 in | TOO BIG | $40.49 |
| Lossga Travel Backpack, 18x14x8 Spirit Airlines Personal Item Travel Bag | 18 x 14 x 8 in | TOO BIG | $20.99 |
| Taygeer Frontier Airlines Personal Item Bag, 18x14x8 inches Travel Bag | 18 x 14 x 8 in | TOO BIG | $20.99 |
| Lossga Travel Backpack for Women Men 18x14x8 Waterproof Carry On Backpack | 18 x 14 x 8 in | TOO BIG | $23.99 |
| WANDF Personal Item Travel Bag 18x14x8 | 18 x 14 x 8 in | TOO BIG | $39.99 |
Personal item bags that meet Southwest’s limit
EZUOLA Travel Backpack for Men,TSA Carry On Backpack Flight Approved
16.9 x 11.4 x 7.5 in as listed$23.99Check price
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Southwest personal item?
Southwest Airlines gives the personal item maximum as 18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 in on its own baggage page. Must be stored under the seat in front of you. Measure the bag packed, because a soft backpack that fits empty can bulge past the depth limit once it is full.
Can a backpack be a personal item on Southwest?
Yes, as long as it measures within 18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 in when packed and fits under the seat in front of you. Look for listings that state an 18 x 14 x 8 inch or smaller size, though on Southwest even that is too big, so aim for the exact figure above. Straps and bottle pockets count toward the size if they stick out.
What is the difference between a personal item and a carry-on on Southwest?
The carry-on goes in the overhead bin and is limited to 24 x 16 x 10 in; the personal item goes under the seat and is limited to 18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 in. Most fares allow one of each.
Researched, not professional advice. Limits change and can vary by route and fare; the airline's own page is the final word.